VOLUNTEERS will be out in force this Saturday morning to help clean up Inverclyde’s main beach.

Often hailed as ‘the jewel in Inverclyde’s tourist crown’, Lunderston Bay is a popular spot in good weather, but, like beaches around the country, suffers from rubbish being washed up on its shoreline.

So the ‘beachwatch’ events organised by Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park are vital in helping to keep this beauty spot in pristine condition for the many people from Inverclyde and beyond who enjoy going there.

You have to be kitted out properly, of course, before tackling what could be a dirty job, so you need to register as a volunteer.

A vast array of items make their way on to beaches, although there should have been a reduction in supermarket plastic bags following the introduction of charges for them.

There are still many other discarded things, however, that can cause serious problems for birds if they are dumped in rivers and end up on coastlines.

The Marine Conservation Society says some of our best-loved wildlife is under threat from rubbish, with hundreds of species accidentally eating or becoming entangled in the stuff.

It’s also damaging to our tourism and fishing industries.

All of us have a part to play in turning the tide on litter, either by making sure we put it in its place or joining the beachwatch volunteers. You can offer to take part by calling 529543. Happy cleaning!